Sunday, September 25, 2011

#1 Networking / Blogging Tip

Okay, this has been bugging me for weeks now, so today's post will be short and sweet.

SOURCE
IF YOU ARE A BLOGGER READ THIS:

When you're trying to widen your net, it's IMPERATIVE that people you don't know can feel connected to what you're doing.  If you want to engage with strangers, they ABSOLUTELY must be able to engage with you.

That means, you HAVE to allow anonymous comments. 

I'm a part of Rachael Harrie's Writer Campaign and I keep going into blogs of people from that campaign, typing out comments to get into the discussion, then discovering that because I don't have Open ID or Wordpress, I can't get involved.

There are specific reasons why I can't use those kinds of ID's. So I'm stuck. 

So I disengage.  I'm not much of a lurker unless the blogger is funny.  My entire reason for following and reading blogs is to learn and discuss. I want to be able to ask questions.  I want to offer my two cents.  And I can't.  And it's driving me nuts.

So PLEASE.  For the love of all that is holy... if you're a blogger, ALLOW ANONYMOUS and Name / IRL commenters!  It's in your best interests, I promise!

That is all.  As you were.

16 comments:

  1. I agree it's a good idea to allow people to comment as easily as possible.

    I think some people don't allow anonymous comments because they're worried about spam - but that's fairly easy to remove, or even prevent with moderation enabled.

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  2. I like to think that people are nice until they prove me otherwise. This is why anonymous comments are okay with me :-)

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  3. Patsy - Yes, I am aware of that. In the early days I had my blog on that setting for those reasons. But I think I only ever received two or three spams. I just deleted them.

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  4. I haven't had a blog up and running in a while, and I actually forgot about that idea. So, I've enabled 'anyone' option and we'll see how it goes. Right now, moderation is off, as a test.

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  5. Thanks so much for saying that. I had the same problem when I was visiting the write campaigners.

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  6. I double checked mine to make sure anonymous comments were allowed.

    Yep, they are, which is good.

    I also find a good way to end a blog post is with a question, to encourage people to give their opinion. Plus, the people I'm reaching are writers and readers, so I chat a lot about the process to publication, writing advice and epiphanies I have along the way.

    I end up redirecting people here too, because you give the best advice!

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  7. Wow, Ebony, thank you so much! You made my day!

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  8. As easy as it is to hit the delete button, I can't imagine why a blogger wouldn't make commenting as easy as possible. I also wonder why some bloggers don't engage readers who comment by acknowledging and responding to the comments.

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  9. Dana - I agree, though in defense of myself and fellow bloggers, there are days and times that responding to all comments just isn't possible. And sometimes it's great when readers are talking to each other. You don't want to mess up the flow.

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  10. Aimee,

    I'm all for someone leaving me a comment telling me how fabulous I am, anonymous or not.

    P.S. My mother can never remember her passwords, so she leaves her comments on my blog as anonymous. At least, I think that is her.

    P.S.S. You are fabulous Aimee. :) :) :)

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  11. I wholeheartedly agree - I, too, have stopped reading or commenting on blogs because the blogger made it too difficult to leave a comment.

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  12. I agree, bloggers should be able to remain anonymous if they choose. Particularly on writing blogs, I know many people who want to ask questions but are afraid that people might think there questions silly and being anonymous gives them comfort that no one will judge. :)

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  13. Most anonymous blogger are that for the reasons you stated. Though some are, most aren't out to rant and spam.

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  14. Great post! I allow them because some of my former students like to read and comment.

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  15. I do I do! Especially since I know not everyone I'd comfortable being out there on the Internet like me, so I like to respect that!

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  16. I definitely agree. I WANT PEOPLE TO LEAVE COMMENTS!

    When I can't it's very frustrating. I don't understand the reason why some bloggers won't allow comments. At Blogspot you can check them before hand, if you wish, and you sure can delete them. What's the big deal?

    So, if you visit any of my blogs, PLEASE do leave a comment if you are so inclined. It's the only way I know that you either agree, disagree, or have some thoughts about what I've written. Plus, I will come and visit you in kind.

    Great post!! I'm so glad someone actually thought to post about commenting, and the ability to do so.

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